WW1

• Long Term Causes of WWI (Review)

  • Militarism
  • Nationalism
  • Alliances
  • Imperialism
• Causes of World War 1

  Austrian heir to the throne, Archduke Ferdinand is killed by a Serbian terrorist group, the Black Hand
• • Serbia rejects demands, so Austria invades
  • Russia mobilizes to defend Serbia, an ally
  • System of alliances is triggered
• Enthusiasm was high across the country, even in Quebec
• The war was expected to be brief. Some soldiers expected to be home by Christmas
• • The war had little to do with Canada, but Canada would play a major role
• • As the war begins, Canada had a 3000 man army
• • Canada assembled a Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) under Sir Sam Hughes
• • Within one week 10 000 men volunteered, within two months the total was 30 000
• • Canadians were ready to fight, although some British officers looked down on them
• • Women were not allowed to join the armed forces, however many served overseas as nurses and ambulance drivers
• • French-Canadian Soldiers were forced to communicate in English
• • Canadians of Italian, Jewish, Chinese and Japanese heritage were often relegated to labour battalions
• The Schlieffen Plan:

  • Take France in 6 weeks, by surprise by going through Belgium
  • Once France falls, move troops east to fight Russia
• Schlieffen Plan – Why it Failed!:

  1. Belgium had a treaty with Britain, France and Germany guaranteeing its neutrality 
• Schlieffen Plan – Why it Failed!:

  1. German Generals altered the plan causing German troops to turn south towards Paris earlier than originally planned
• • Trench warfare had resulted in a “tie”
• Trench warfare:

  Neither side could gain territory
• Trench warfare:Defensive tactics were more effective than offensive
• Trench warfare:

  • Gains were only measured in metres
• Trench warfare:

  • Each side seemed to only try to kill as many enemy soldiers as possible
• Trench Warfare:

  Germans dug defensive fortifications (on high ground overlooking their enemies) along a long “front” from Belgium to Switzerland
• Trench Warfare:

  • The French and British, and later Canadians and others, also “dug in” and the armies faced each other in what is now known as trench warfare
• The Western Front

  Some of Canada’s proudest and most devastating moments of the war were fought in battles on the Western Front. In these battles Canadian soldiers distinguished themselves as a vital part of the Allied war effort.
• What made the First World War so terrible?:

  • Technological advances enhanced the defensive power of troops. Many weapons, such as the machine gun and the rifle. 
• What made the First World War so terrible?:

  • What was lacking were the inventions that would allow an attacking army to overcome these defences 
• What made the First World War so terrible?:

  • The attacker always moved at the speed of a foot soldier (tanks could only move at 5 miles per hour) and that speed was often slowed down by the mud. Horses also moved slowly.
• What made the First World War so terrible?:

  • The defenders always had time to rush up reserves by train and build a news series of trenches. 
• What made the First World War so terrible?:

  • Communication. Soldiers could not talk to their artillery or air support. Troops had to drill, drill and drill in order to be as well rehearsed as possible in battle. Therefore any victories for attacking armies were won at a great cost in lives.
• Ypres, Belgium - April 1915:

  The Goal: To hold a 3.5km section of front line trenches with Allies under heavy German attack
• Ypres, Belgium - April 1915:

  What Happened: Heavy German attack included chlorine gas
• Canadian Significance:

  • When deadly German gas attacks send others running, the Canadians hold their own.
• Canadian Significance:

  • In their first major appearance on a European battlefield, the Canadians established a reputation as a formidable fighting force.
• The Battle of the Somme, France - July - November 1916:

  The Goal: break through German trenches near the Somme River and capture enemy territory
• The Battle of the Somme, France - July - November 1916:

  What Happened: lasted five months and Germans were pushed back 11km. Canadians played a key role by storming German trenches. Tanks were used for the first time to break through no man’s land. Very muddy
• The Battle of the Somme, France - July - November 1916:Canadians were highly successful at achieving their objectives during the Battle of The Somme.
• The Battle of the Somme, France - July - November 1916:

  • Developed a reputation as very tough soldiers, and were even labeled as “shock troops” by their allies. 
• The Battle of the Somme, France - July - November 1916:

  • Canadians were often invited to join many more battles after this. 
• Vimy Ridge, France - April 9, 1917:

  The Goal: Germans had control of a hill which gave them a high view and allowed them to see the Allied movements. Storm the hill and push the Germans back and take control of the area 
• Vimy Ridge, France - April 9, 1917:

  What Happened: All four Canadian divisions fought together and defeated the Germans taking Vimy Ridge. Today a large war memorial to Canada stands on this spot